It is with deep sadness that I report to you that the Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local No. 2, has lost two of its members today Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010. FF Edward J. Stringer - E63 and FF/EMT Corey D. Ankum T34 were killed in the line of duty following a wall collapse at a structural fire.

A memorial fund has been set up for the Ankum Family at Chase Bank: Please reference with Chase bank when making a donation to the Ankum Family, it is set up as a "Non-Individual Business Account in the name of Firefighter Corey D. Ankum Memorial Fund". The Chase Bank branch that set up the account is on Milwaukee and Washtenaw and the banker was Armondo Angaria 773-276-8539. Please call this branch if you should have any problems making a donation to the Ankum Family.

Heading HomeThe men assembled side by side, while standing at the gateThey stood there four short months ago...for their Brothers they will wait.They hung the purple bunting, after St. Peter made the callHe said, "Ed and Corey have now fallen; it's time to add them to your wall."They knew that they had work to do, for they would soon be on their wayThey gathered all the fallen and they began to pray."Dear God grant us strength today, as we bring our Brothers homeGive them peace upon their journey, may their heroic souls not roam."The fallen finished adding the names, of the Brothers on their wayThe wall is that of heroes...it gets bigger every day.Never to be forgotten, never to go awayThese men made a sacrifice, the ultimate price to pay.The fallen hear their Brothers, as they walk toward Heaven's gateEd with his arm on Corey's shoulder, he says "Hey kid, this was our fate."Corey says, "Do you think my kids will remember me?"Ed says, "You are their hero, in their heart you'll always be."With their helmets in their hands, and soot upon their faceThey passed through the gates of Heaven,As the angels sang Amazing Grace.~P. Wood